[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 73 (Monday, May 5, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E810]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              A TRIBUTE TO RIO LINDA UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT

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                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 5, 2008

  Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the staff 
and volunteers of the Rio Linda Union School District and the services 
they provided to local students. For 94 years, the dedicated staff of 
the Rio Linda Union School District has carefully selected fully 
credentialed teachers, involved the community in the education process 
and worked tirelessly to meet the needs of students. I ask all my 
colleagues to join me in honoring some of Sacramento's finest 
educators.
  Established in 1914 as a one-room school house, the district has 
grown into a 22 school, K-6 district. This award winning district is 
now Sacramento County's largest elementary school district, teaching 
10,500 elementary students in the northern Sacramento area. These 
communities include Rio Linda, Foothill Farms, North Natomas, North 
Highlands, and McClellan Park.
  Rio Linda Union School District offers rigorous educational programs 
for all students and aligns their curriculum and textbooks to state 
standards with the integration of arts and sciences into the 
classrooms. The district prides itself on sustaining a quality learning 
environment, maintaining school grounds and ensuring a safe place for 
children to learn. Students have succeeded due to improved special 
education classes, expanded summer school, Reading Recovery program, 
family outreach workers, and before and after school activities to keep 
the children engaged in learning.
  This district is made of a diverse population of students, bridging 
ethnicities and backgrounds. More than 36 different languages are 
spoken in this district and 26 percent of students have a limited 
proficiency in English. This is a challenge facing educators across our 
Nation, and the Rio Linda Union School District has met the challenge 
head on.
  Rio Linda Union School District is driven by community volunteers. 
The efforts of the volunteers that help this district run are truly 
admirable. Approximately 3,000 parents volunteer each year to work in 
classrooms, chaperone field trips and serve on committees. Two annual 
events that showcase the dedication of volunteers in this district are 
the Volunteer Luncheon and the Principal for a Day program. More than 
400 parents attend the annual Volunteer Luncheon where a ``Volunteer of 
the Year'' from each school is chosen. Their Principal for a Day 
program attracts community leaders making the program a state model.
  This school district will soon be seeing a change due to the passage 
of Measure B which consolidates four northern Sacramento County school 
districts. In July of 2008, Rio Linda Union School District, Grant 
Joint Union High School, North Sacramento School District, and Del Paso 
Heights School District will merge to become Twin Rivers Union School 
District. Frank Porter, who is currently the Superintendent for Rio 
Linda Union School District has been hired as Interim Superintendent 
for this new district. Mr. Porter has worked as Superintendent for more 
than 6 years, during which eight Rio Linda schools received California 
Distinguished School Awards.
  Madam Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to the Rio Linda Union 
School District's commitment to education and our community. Over the 
past 90 years, their success stories have been truly inspiring. As 
members of the Sacramento community gather at the Aerospace Museum, I 
ask my colleagues to come together and honor the tireless dedication 
shown by the Rio Linda Union School District's staff and volunteers in 
providing quality education for our children.

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